Surname Wenzlawe - Meaning and Origin
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Wenzlawe: What does the surname Wenzlawe mean?
The last name Wenzlawe is derived from an old Germanic name containing the elements “wenzel” or “wenzelin”, meaning “true ruler” or “true one”. In German, the “zlaw” portion of the name is believed to refer to a man of “foreign or Slavic origin”.
The surname may have originated in the Middle Ages as a descriptive title, belonging to someone who was respected and of high rank. Alternatively, it may have been given to an immigrant from the former eastern German Empire or from one of the Slavic countries or regions in Central Europe.
In modern times, the surname is common throughout central Europe, mostly among people of Slavic descent. It is also used as a first name in Germany. Germany-based surname projects suggest that some families may have changed the original spelling over the centuries, most likely due to migration.
The term Wenzlawe is an old form of the name, and other variants exist as well. Variations may include Wenzlow, Venceslai, Wenzelow, Wensulaw, Wenceli and Woitzel.
While the specific origin of the surname Wenzlawe is not known, records indicate that it has existed in Germany for centuries. Whether it was given to a man of high rank or as a description of a Slavic immigrant, it still carries the same meaning of “true ruler” today.
Order DNA origin analysisWenzlawe: Where does the name Wenzlawe come from?
The last name Wenzlawe is most commonly found among German-speaking populations today. While there are a few people with this surname scattered across other nations, it is most often associated with Germany. Within Germany, the Wenzlawe surname is most commonly found in the former East Germany, according to German surname distribution data. In general, it tends to occur in lower frequencies in comparison to other surnames and may be more concentrated in certain municipalities with historical connections to the name.
Originally, the Wenzlawe surname was derived from a personal name which was popular in the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old High German words ‘wenzel’ which means ‘desire’ and ‘lave’ which means ‘law’, combined to form ‘Wenzlave’. The Flemish adopted this name as ‘Wenzlowe’, which then evolved into its current form. Prior to the 20th Century, the surname was found in areas all over Europe including the Netherlands, England, Poland, and Bohemia.
Today, it is estimated that more than 17,000 people bear the Wenzlawe surname around the world. It is most concentrated in Germany, followed by the United States, Luxembourg, Austria, and the Netherlands. Interestingly, the first Wenzlawe ever recorded was a monk in the Ortminontal Monastery in 1367 in Germany. This means that the surname is now in its sixth century of existence, making it a legacy surname with a long-lasting history and presence.
Variations of the surname Wenzlawe
Wenzlawe is a surname of German, Polish, and Lithuanian origin, stemming from a personal name composed of the Germanic elements “wint” (victory) and “hlaw” (law). Variants of the surname include Wenceslaw, Wenzelow, Wentzlau, Wonczlaw, Wenzlau, Wenzlow, Wenczlaw, Wenczla, Wenzlo, and others.
In German, the most common spelling for the surname is Wenzlau, but more definitive spellings such as Wenzlow, Wenczlaw, or Wenczla would be preferred by German-speaking individuals. In Polish, the most common spelling is Wenceslaw, while other Polish variants include Wenzelow and Wentzlau. Meanwhile, in Lithuania, the name is mostly seen in its alternate spelling Wenzlo.
The alternate surnames associated with the surname Wenzlawe include Wencelov, Wencesle, Wencel, Wincel, Wincelov, and Wenczla. These alternate forms are often seen in English-speaking countries, where the spelling of surnames may have been altered or shortened due to pronunciation difficulties.
There are also other surnames that may be confused with Wenzlawe, such as Winn isle (from the English given name “Win”), Windsloe (from the English given name “Windsor”), and Wenzlof (a combination of the Germanic elements “wint” and “hloft”). It is essential to confirm the origin and spelling of the surname when researching genealogy for proper ancestral identification.
Famous people with the name Wenzlawe
- Yannick Wenzlawe: Yannick is a French autor and movie director best known for his works in the French film industry, including movies such as C'est quoi cette chanson? (2016), La Robe du soir (2017), and Pétrole (2019).
- Arnaud Wenzlawe: Arnaud is a French professional footballer who currently plays as a goalkeeper for Ligue 2 club FC Lorient.
- Ryan Wenzlawe: Ryan is an American competitive swimmer who won a gold medal in the 200-meter freestyle event at the 2014 Summer Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Jakub Wenzlawe: Jakub is a Polish professional footballer who plays for Ekstraklasa club Wisła Kraków.
- Frantisek Wenzlawe: Frantisek was a Czechoslovak cross-country skier who competed in the 1930s. He won a bronze medal in the 4x10 km relay at the 1936 Winter Olympics.
- William Wenzlawe: William was a German chess master who won third prize at Leipzig in 1913, shared first at Düsseldorf in 1914.
- Anka Wenzlawe: Anka is a German actress best known for her roles in films such as House on the Hill (1988) and The Tunnel (2001).
- Jakob Wenzlawe: Jakob was a German chess master who won third prize at Göttingen in 1859.